Before everyone came over, I made some of Gina’s turkey pumpkin chili and got it cooking away in the slow cooker. I doubled the recipe, and it was AMAZING. Loved the fact that it was so savory and Kyle commented on the southwestern flavors- it was a huge hit and I’ll definitely be making it again. I served it along with salad (arugula, dried cranberries and almonds with balsamic dressing)

Pumpkin carving award goes to my brother Kyle, who googled a pumpkin picture he liked and then free-handed it:

ET!

Liv is going to go crazzzzyyy when she sees it.

Our works of art:

I had to make an Elmo for my favorite little lady. She has never actually seen Sesame Street, but we’ve YouTube-d a couple of Elmo songs (ABCs with India Arie is a favorite) and she also enjoys FaceTime with him, which I save for emergency situations.

If you’re wondering what the Pilot carved (his is on the far right) there’s a picture of it on his iPhone above, and you can read the full story here. I laughed so hard the first time I saw the photo. It really cracked me up because it seemed like something I would do. “Hey, I can fix that! Ohhh… ohhh noooo…. never mind.”

It was a good Tucson memory night, for sure. I’m soaking up every second we have here, especially since I have no idea how long it will be before (or if) we move.

Today is pretty much a dream teaching day: World Beat and Zumba! Have a great Saturday and I’ll see ya later.

Awesome pumpkins Gina! Last weekend I carved some with friends and this year, I opted for one of the Angry Birds. You can see it here if you like: http://bit.ly/PIpLCS . Pumpkin chili is one of my favourite parts of fall… and all things pumpkin! Sounds like you had a great night!

Gotta get enough pumpkin in during the Fall to last us the rest of the year, right? 😉 Your night seriously sounds like so much fun, and all of the pumpkins look great! I’m probably going to carve one next weekend, but it’s been a few years since I did it so I’m really hoping that my skills aren’t too rusty!

You guys made some amazing pumpkins! Wow, I need to have you come over and help me. My carving skills are not so hot 🙂 That chili also sounds amazing every time I see it. Thanks for the reminder about that one!

Ooooh there is now an “if” attached to the move?? In the military world, there’s only an if attached to moving if they’re retiring or getting out early! I assume the Pilot is too young to retire, so is he considering leaving?

it’s his career for now, but when he signed up, he signed a contract for 10 years and those 10 years are almost up. at that point you can decide if you want to stay in and make it a “career” (retire through the air force) or if you want to get out and do something else (join the guard or reserve, be a commercial pilot, etc)

My husband is also a pilot (Army) and we’re also making this decision, for 2014. It’s a tough one but I think we’re leaning towards staying in. It’s hard bc I had to give up my career goals (he says “change them” but “give up” is more accurate. I worked in international nutrition for the UN’s World Food Programme. Now I work as an RD at a hospital bc I can’t just take an assignment in Africa anymore.), but at this point it’s too late for me to go back to international work when kids are on the horizon. So in part I feel that I gave up so much for the military, might as well get retirement pay out of it so hopefully one day we can move our family abroad!

What a fun pumpkin themed night! I think I might have to make that soup tomorrow! It will be perfect for after my 10k run! Have you tried candy corn and dry roasted peanuts together? It tastes just like a Payday bar and is the only way I like Candy corn. I bet with chocolate chips thrown in it would be even better!

I am soo making that chili! I might make it less southwestern and more “fall” by adding cinnamon and nutmeg and cocoa. I can’t remember if you guys are renting or homeowners? If the latter, will you rent it out for a while? Wishing you the best!

Hahaha, I have instatly recognized the last pumpkin!! I am Spanish (yeah, you have followers here, too) and I laughed so hard when that story came out, well, we all laughed hard actually. Anyway I knew the news arrived almost everywhere but I never thought even to the USA, so this pumpkin surprises me and makes me laugh so much, it’s very well done!
laura

Hi, gorgeous! I'm so glad you're here. Welcome to The Fitnessista, a healthy lifestyle blog emphasizing quick workouts, quick recipes and adventures as a wife and mom. Though I am a certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor and weight loss specialist, the information posted here is not intended to substitute the advice of a medical professional. Please check out the about page for more info. Thank you for reading! ❤️